Spring



Aug 11, 1931 P. A. CARTERET 1,813,049

SPRING Filed Oct. 27. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mun/m P4 UL ADD PHE (WE EKET Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING Applicationfiled Getober 27, 1827', Serial No. 229,077, and in France October 28,1926.

The present invention relates to leaf springs which serve in particularfor the suspension of vehicles and mainly consists 1n a system of springso arranged that its oscilla- 5 tions are automatically braked;moreover,

owing to its constitution, a greater security, 18 obtained in case ofrupture of the mam leaf.

This spring is essentially constituted by a leaf folded several timesupon itself, or by a etc.

Preferably, this spring is formed by a leaf folded upon itself at itsends, or by a leaf at the ends of which are attached, in any waywhatever, other leaves which, by cross ing each other, cover it on thegreater portion of its length on a single face or on both faces ingplace if desired, in a single direction of of the main leaf. The leavesthus arranged being firmly clamped against each other, the frictionstress resulting from their relative displacements brakes theoscillations of the spring when the latter yields.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figs. 1 to 5 show diagrammatically 5 cmbodiments of the spring accordingto the invention.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a sixth embodiment.

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing different connections between themain leaf and the adjacent counterleafs.

Figs. 9 and 10 are a plane and a longitudinal section of a lastembodiment.

Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings show varioussprings of this system formed by a main leaf a folded several times uponitself for forming the adjacent leaves uand '0.

In Fig. 4, the adjacent leaves are connected to the main leaf a byrollers 7* and are each folded on either side of this leaf throughout 0k, or fasteners, keys, etc.

In the drawings the elements have been detached from each other forclearly showing the constitution of the spring, but they are, in fact,firmly clamped against each other in the usual manner by a bolt; thehole provided in the adjacent leaves for the passage of the said bolthas been lengthened for permitting the slipping of these leaves uponflexure of the spring.

In fact, when the spring yields, the ends 0 and cl of the main leaf adraw along the leaves a and o, and the relative sliding movement of theleaves throughout their length determines a friction stress whichenergetically brakes the oscillations of the spring.

On the other hand, the main leaf being reinforced by the other leaves,its rupture does not prevent the spring from remaining at tached to thevehicle by the adjacent leaves and the security is thus ensured.

For obtaining a progressive braking takoscill'ation, the adjacent leavesare given the shape of a long wedge.

The devices forming the subject-matter of the invention "are applicableto all kinds of springs: cantilever springs, half-springs, etc.

Fig. 6 illustrates in vertical section, by way of example, a spring inwhich the wedgeshaped leaves '0 are folded throu "bout the length of thespring and clamped y a bolt m, between ordinary leaves and counterleaves which complete the spring. If the spring yields the wedge-shapedleaves tend to release themselves, whilst upon return, these leavesbecome wedged and progressively brake the spring.

The following figures are modifications of the mode of connection of themain leaf with the adjacent leaves. either by embedded rollers r (Fig. 7or by superposed rollers r (Fig. 8).

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the main leaf showing its apertures Z cut outin the adjacent leaves for permitting their sliding movement and servingat the same time to retain the lubricant which can be introduced throughthe lubricating plug g.

Fig. 10 shows the same spring mounted on the chassis of a motor car.

For avoiding the complete locking of the leaves, it is possible tointroduce between them and the clamping nut resilient washers, springs,etc. or a plastic material, such as fabric, rubber, etc.

The above arrangements are given by way of example only; the forms,dimensions, materials usedand all detail arrangements can be variedwithout departing thereby from the principle of the invention.

Claims 1. A spring comprising leaves occupying the whole length of saidspring, a holding bolt fixed to said leaves, other leaves connected withthe ends of said first-mentioned leaves and meanspermitting said otherleaves to move with respect to said holding bolt.

2. A spring comprising leaves occupying the whole length of the spring,a holding bolt with reference to which said leaves are fixed, otherleaves connected with the ends of the first-mentioned leaves andprovided with openings to {permit said other leaves to move with respectto said holding bolt.

3. A spring comprising leaves occupying :the wholelength ofthe spring, aholding bolt with reference to which said leaves are fixed, other leavesconnected with the ends of said first-mentioned leaves provided withopenings .to permit said other leaves to Inove with respect to the saidholding bolt, said other leaves being wedge-shaped to prevent any of theleaves from being immovable with .res met to each other.

'lhe foregoing specification of my spring signedby me this 7th day ofOctober, 1927.

PAUL AD OLPHE CARTERET.

